#24 What means the most to me....

...is being with my family for eternity. I am so grateful that Mario and I have been sealed for all eternity in the temple. Adam just asked me today why we need to go to church. I told him it was to be obedient to Heavenly Father. He asked why (he asks that a lot!) and I explained to him that we want to be a forever family. Adam thought about it and then agreed. Later at church he surprised us by getting up all by himself and bearing his testimony during sacrament meeting. I was in the mother's room feeding Alex so I could only hear the meeting. I heard his sweet little voice bear testimony that his family loves him. Several people came to me throughout church complimenting on Adam's simple but strong testimony. I am proud of the wonderful little man he is becoming. Eternity is a long time; I'm glad I get to spend it with such wonderful people.

#23 15 Facts About Me

1. I was born in Tyler, Texas but will always claim to be a Washingtonian.

2. I have a bachelor's degree in Biology from BYU-Idaho.

3. I met Mario in April 2003 and was married that December.

4. I have been married to my soul mate for 7 years and have loved every minute of it.

5. I love having all boys!

6. I am part of Na Wahines, a hula performance group.

7. I am addicted to Diet Coke.

8. I can and do read for hours at a time.

9. My dream is to be a successful writer.

10. I like cooking when I want to but hate cooking when I have to.

11. I go to Target at least twice a week.

12. I really don't like TV that much.

13. I can't stand mess.

14. I have a love/hate relationship with politics and listen to Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, and Levine daily.

15. I really want to go on a vacation!

#22 A letter to someone who has hurt me

Dear Adam,

I was thrilled to find out you were going to join our family. For 9 months I threw up almost every day. I went through two days of back labor and then a failed epidural. I have never in my life before then or since then experienced the amount of pain I had giving birth to you. But now all I see is joy when I look at you. You are my healthy, smart, loving, and fun little guy. You are a wonderful big brother and someone I can depend on. You are worth it all.

Love,

Mommy

photo credit: laulouwat.blogspot.com

#21 What Makes Me Happy

Mario likes to make Alex ride Rosie around the house. It is hilarious. When it comes to fatherhood Mario is a pro. When I get stressed he can always make me laugh. And look at Alex's face? Come on! That is priceless.

#20 The meaning behind my blog name

Well, lets see. I am married to Mario. My name is Linda. Our last name is Aguirre. Super creative, huh? I should have let my boys come up with a name. They, on the other hand, are super creative. For example, this is a spaceship!

#19 Me...

...as of this second. Rosie won't get off of me so I can type. And Tyler is walking around with his Monkey Backpack having it "eat" things. He is cracking me up.

Tyler: "Monkey, no no eat Mommy's shoes!" "Okay....Eat shoes. Mommy no see....YUMMY, Shoes!"

Alex is crawling down the hall and keeps knocking down and trying to eat my big black candle sticks. Mario is back from a short business trip. He even brought me home Nine West boots and a leather cover for my nook! Adam is reading now! It is sunny and warmish outside, with an afternoon trip to the park with friends in our future. And that, my friends, is why I'm smiling :).

#18 The thing I crave is....

....Diet Coke! Super cold with lots of ice and fizz. MMMMmmmmm! Make that with hospital ice.......oh, man. So good! I'd post a picture but I think I'll go pour myself a Diet Coke instead.

#17 My Family!

Now do you see why I feel so blessed? Love these boys!

(picture taken December 2010 at Ruth's cabin)

Perspective

Sometimes life is all about perspective. For example, I can be mad about 2pm church or grateful that we get to spend relaxing mornings as a family. I've decided to be thankful for things in life. Complaining is just a waste of time.

A couple days ago I was feeling grumpy. We found some fraudulent charges on our bank account, which resulted in deactivating my debit card and having to wait a week for a new one. I never carry cash or a credit card, and my debit card wasn't working, when the gas light went on in my car. I was so frustrated that I had to go home and hunt for Mario's card when I had about a million other things to do. As I was grumbling and being just plain grinchy I drove past the local food bank a couple miles from my house. There was a long line of people waiting outside in the frigid cold. I felt like such a jerk for complaining. I was in a nice warm car driving to my home that has heat, clothes, and plenty of food. There were moms in that line with their children. How hard would that be? I feel so blessed and know that to who much is given, much is required. I pray this is a lesson I can remember.

Which Sandwich?

Saturday was gorgeous. I'm talking 55 degrees and sunny with not a thing to do. We headed to the park (YAY!!!!) with a picnic.

Before leaving I made Adam a turkey and cheese sandwich. He freaked out! Full on tantrum. The kid is 5 so this was not okay. I told him, after he calmed down, that I would make him a jelly and butter sandwich if he cleaned for 15 minutes without stopping. I set the timer and he did it, so I made the sandwich.

Fast forward to the park. This was his face....


Then he tells me that his sandwich is gross and he would prefer a turkey and cheese. AGHHHH! So he ended up eating the dreaded turkey and cheese sandwich.


I will never win. At least my house got cleaned!

It's Elmo, Baby!

For Christmas Tyler received an Elmo camera toy from Mario's parents. He loves it and wants to bring it everywhere (including stores, did I mention it is a very loud toy?). Problem is....they had a little fight today.

Tyler presses button

Elmo: The camera loves you Baby!

Tyler: I no baby!!! I big boy!

Elmo: Say Cheese! Yeah Baby!

Tyler: NO NO ELMO!!!!! I NO BABY! *tears*

It was nothing a little painting couldn't cure. These are things he will discuss in counseling one day.

#16 My Celebrity Crush

Celebrity crushes are so 2001. But Rachel saw a girl yesterday with Robert Pattinson's face tattooed on her arm. Classy, right? Maybe I should get one of Mario...

#15 I don't leave the house without....

.....this....


....this....


....these....

.....this....

....and three adorable little boys.

Poor Rosalie!

Rose got spayed today. It is just so sad! She did fine, but now she is just laying here next to me with the saddest look in her eyes. I feel like I took away her puppyhood. I know it was the right decision but it's still sad. She has a huge suture across her belly. Jasper is being so sweet. He comes over and checks on her. Always licking her face and looking so concerned. He stood by the door the whole time she was at the vet. Hang in there Rosalie!

#14 Show I am Currently Addicted To

This show pulls you in. There are so many twists and turns, secrets, and lies. I want to read the books, too.

#13 My Favorite Musician/Band

I listen to different music depending on my mood:

Chillaxin- Sufjan Stevens, Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service
Driving in the Car- Twilight, New Moon, or Eclipse soundtracks
Cleaning the House- Muse, Vampire Weekend or Taylor Swift
Reminicent- Nsync, Justin Timberlake or Hilary Duff
Playing with the Kids- Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas or Disney Music
Spiritual- Mormon Taberbacle Choir, Micheal McLean, or Kenneth Cope

BUT my fav of all is Death Cab for Cutie.

Sleeping Sweeties

This picture melts me....
I took it last night. Adam and Tyler had been fighting all evening. Adam kept running out of his room saying that Tyler was bothering him. Then Tyler would come tripping behind saying, "NO, Adam bother ME!" After sending them back to bed about 50 times and telling them to get along I finally hear silence. I crept to their room and found them hugging each other in their sleep. It made my heart happy. I hope my boys have the same great relationship that I have with my siblings. It reminded me of Jennie wanting to sleep in my bed as little girls.

#11 My Make-up Bag

I thought this was a dumb post, but it actually says a lot about me.
#1 I love a deal! I got the bag and half the make-up as a free gift with purchase at Clinique.
#2 I have psoriasis. The little tube in the front right side is my cream. I get it in my ears and my right eyebrow. YUCK!
#3 I wear contacts, hence the contact solution.
#4 I am not very brave when it comes to my make-up. I wear neutral colors, no eye liner or shimmer.
#5 I love lotions and potions! I am obsessed with eye creams or anything that claims to get rid of wrinkles. I have way too many wrinkles for a 27 year old.

And that is me in a nutshell.....(actually a make-up bag)

#10 My Favorite Places to Eat

One of the perks to living in Southern Oregon are the great local restaurant's.


Noho's Hawaiian Cafe is one of our favorites.
Their Macaroni Salad is TO DIE FOR!


Callahan's is a lodge up at Mount Ashland that has a restaurant. We like to go for birthdays and our anniversary. It is so cozy with tables right by a crackling fire place, big windows to watch the snow fall, live guitar music to enjoy, and delicious food to eat.



Kaleidoscope Pizza is melt in your mouth, drool, and return-as-often-as-you-can goodness! It is a tradition to go whenever family comes to town.

Now I am hungry!!!

#9 Something I Last Purchased

A Diet Coke at Target!

Big surprise there, right? I make this purchase at least twice a week. Difference today is that I had to use Mario's debit card. I don't have one for 5 to 10 days!!!!!! I am going through with withdrawls....shakes, chills, you name it. Mario and I noticed some fraudulent online charges and had to call it in. So, they deactivated my card and I have to wait until the new one comes in the mail. I had to take Mario's card today since I had an eye doctor appointment and needed to get a birthday gift for the kids' friend. My new optometrist is Graham MacPartland. He is my friend Genevieve's husband and a great eye doctor. Give him a call if you need an appointment! (there's my plug!)

#8 A Song for Today

I taught Joy School today and introduced Mr. Gunny Bag. He likes to gobble up toys that aren't cleaned up. He only coughs them up once a week. But when there are no toys to eat he cries and cries. The kids are obsessed! He is really just a pillow case with a face....shhhhhhhh!

#7 My Dream Wedding

Since I'm married already to my dream man, I'd have to say that my wedding 7 years ago was my dream wedding. I don't have any pictures on this computer but it was a perfect day. We were sealed in the temple and then had a gorgeous reception. My colors were black and white with red roses. Very elegant. I love wedding so much though that I would totally renew my vows with Mario just for fun. I would do it here:

#6 My Dream Pet

Jasper and Rosalie are the only pets I would ever want. I've always said I'm not a dog person and that is still true. I only like my dogs. They are adorable and only like to poop inside at Nana and Papa's house, not mine. Whoops! Today Rosie had her first vet appointment. She is healthy and ready to get spayed next week. Mario had today off so this afternoon we took the kids and puppies for a nice walk. It felt like we were a whole caravan of gypsies walking through the park. Our family is getting really big. I love it!

*Adam gets the photo credit on this one*

#5- A photo of yourself 2 years ago

Ack! I don't love this picture of me, at all! But I love the girlies in it and it is so representative of my life two years ago. I noticed in every picture of me from two years ago that I was fat. Which is kinda funny because my excuse was that I had a 6 month old (Tyler). Well, now I have a 7 month old (Alex) and am at least 15 pounds lighter than I was then. Yay for that!

This picture was taken at our annual Chocolate Extravaganza. Just close your eyes and imagine...(insert angelic melody)....chocolate as far as the eye can see. Fun times!

Anja is right next to me. She moved a while back and is greatly missed. Two years ago we were getting together regularly for play dates and girl's nights out.

Janice comes next. She also moved away, but just recently. I miss her to pieces. She is such a creative, fun person and one of my best friends.

Crissy is at the end. I just got to see today at her baby shower. She is having a little girl! She has two boys already. This girl is so fun to be around.

What would I do without my girlfriends and chocolate?!

PHEW!

So I have been busy busy busy the last few days. And today is no different....

swimming lessons
music and movement
bring Adam to school
baby shower for Crissy
pick up Adam
clean the house
make dinner
plan tomorrows preschool
keep children alive

That is my plan for today. Preschool tomorrow is on cleanliness and order, so I figure I should lead by example and organize my house. It isn't all that bad, just yesterday we went to a party to watch the Ducks game so I went to bed with it messy, which I never do.

#4 Best Friends

I'm one of those really lucky people who are surrounded by amazing people.

Mario is my eternal companion and best friend. I never get sick of him which is fantastic considering we are stuck like glue forever.

Jacki knows me inside and out. I love her to death. No one can make me laugh like Jacki can.

My mom is an amazing woman that I am so lucky to have as a friend. I want to be just like her someday.

Amy has been my friend for over 20 years now (can't believe I'm that old!!!). She is silly, goofy, and gorgeous.

Rachel is the only person I still keep in close touch with from high school. We have made so many great memories together.

Cousins, sibblings, friends, parents, etc. Pretty blessed, right?

This picture was taken in 2005 I think. Cousins all stacked up. I love it!

#3 The Details of Dating

For this blog challenge I am supposed to talk about the perfect first date. I think my first date with Mario was pretty dang perfect so I will talk about that. We had met on a Sunday evening (April 2003) when Mario was on the way to have dinner with a girl and her family. After his date he came back and asked me out for the next night. What a player! I should feel bad for the girl....but I don't. We went out Monday night, which probably was pretty irresponsible because we should have been at FHE or doing homework since it was the week before final exams.

Mario drove me to Applebees in Idaho Falls. I ordered chicken fettuccine alfredo and Mario ordered a lot of meat. There was a Mariner's game on in the background, good food to eat, and an amazing guy across from me. Mario was so sweet and gentlemanly. After dinner he got us lost driving the 30 minutes home. I still think he did it on purpose! I knew it wouldn't be our last date and thankfully it wasn't.

That week we ended up studying at the park, going to Hogi Yogi, going dancing, taking walks, talking on the phone...you get the idea. We fell in love fast and 7 years later I can't imagine anyone more perfect for me.

Just last night we were laying in bed and decided that for our 10 year anniversary we need to go somewhere awesome. It will be in December so I am thinking tropical. I feel so blessed to have a wonderful husband that I can build castle's in the sky with.

This picture is from December 2006, but I just love it! We look so happy and in love.

#2 FOOD!

Alex is 6 1/2 months old, which is one of my favorite ages. Every taste of food is a new experience for him. It is a delight to see him try new things. Today for breakfast he had one of his favorite meals, rice cereal with applesauce mixed in. I canned the apple sauce this fall with apples from my friend's neighbor's tree. Nutritous and delicious! (For real....I tried it.) The funny thing is that he will only swallow the food while sucking his thumb. Weird! I really hope he out grows it ;)

I am supposed to write something I ate today for the 30 day blog challenge so here goes:

• oatmeal
• beefy 5 layer burrito from Taco Bell
• Diet Pepsi (yuck! The downside to Taco Bell)
• A speculaasje cookie
• Pulled pork sandwich for dinner

Not the most nutritous day ever. Whatev!

What in the world....

does a stay-at-home mom do all day?

WELL today.....

I did an hour of cardio...

Took Adam to school....

Brought Mario his lunch at work....

Took down the Christmas decorations (holy cow was that a lot of work)...

Reorganized the glass front cabinet in the kitchen (it looks adorable)...

Picked up Adam from school...

Put up my regular apple green decor (or as Adam calls it "the summer decorations")...

Dusted...

Vacuumed...

Swept...

Mopped...

Cleaned windows and mirrors...

Washed 3 loads of laundry...

Made an eye appointment for myself..

Did Dishes (but Mario finished them up when he got home. What a guy!)....

Took out trashes and recycling...

Talked to my Mom on the phone...

Unpacked the last of our stuff from Washington...

Moved a little table from the hall to be Mario's bedside table (it looks great and he loves it!)....

Listened to Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Death Cab for Cutie, Muse, and the Twilight Soundtrack....

OH YEAH....

and I bathed, fed, read to, played with, changed the diapers of, and gave kisses to my three little boys.

But yesterday, I let my kids watch 2 hours of "Wizards of Waverly Place" so I could read a Romance Novel. Then I made Top Ramen for dinner. Don't judge....

(This is Day 1 of the 30 day blog challenge I am doing)

"Only Rowsaleee"

Jasper


Rosalie

The first week in November I got a message on Facebook from the breeder we had bought Jasper from. They had a puppy that had been returned to them. How sad is that? I guess the people weren't ready for the responsibility. Well, we had to have her! We named her Rosalie. Yes, another Twilight name....but I couldn't resist! They are brother and sister so it was just too perfect. They have been in puppy heaven playing with eachother all day. It has brought the puppy back out in Jasper since she is only 5 months. Tyler calls her "Rowsaleee!" and says that he only loves her and not Jasper. Poor Jasp! Jasper never has accidents and won't chew things up anymore, but he was having a hard time being trained to come. Now with Rosie, Jasper obeys because she does. Rosie is pure love, while Jasper is very cautious and untrusting. Rosie however still has accidents sometimes which drives me nuts! They are both sweet dogs with such different personalities. We love them....

National Invisible Jammies Day

True story:

Today is National Invisible Jammies Day. It only applies to good little boys who put their jammies on and pick up toys. If you are disobedient visibility ensues. Bet you didn't know that, huh? Well, it results in mysteriously floating toys that are being thrown into a toy box.

(This picture is from SinterKlaas Day last month. I love it!)

TWO?!?!

For years we have had church at 9am. Now with the new year we are meeting at 2pm! Yes, that is church from 2-5pm. It was dark when we left for home. We literally walked inside, made and ate a quick dinner (spaghetti omlet...yes, you read that right), read scriptures, brushed teeth and put the kids to bed. So weird! I haven't decided if I like it yet. This morning was amazing since Mario didn't have his meeting (he is the Elder's Quorum President and has to go to ward council) until 12:30, when it used to be at 7am. The extra relaxation was nice, not to mention we were actually early to church. I know, shocking, right?! But it is still just weird to get out so late.

On a side note: I taught Relief Society today. I think it went pretty well. I talked about learning from the past and then having faith in the future. I learned that the roof to the Manti temple was actually built by ship builders. They didn't know how to make a roof so they built a boat and turned it upside down. How cool is that? Connie Neville held Alex for me, since Mario was teaching Elder's Quorum, and he actually fell asleep. She is amazing.

Today was also Oma's birthday. She passed away over 5 years ago but I still think of her often. I would have loved for my kids to know her. I am so grateful that we have been sealed as a family and will get to see her again someday. I can just imagine her reading a book to my boys. She was such a fantastic story teller. Happy Birthday Oma!

Do I Dare?

New Years Day has always come with a resolve to do better, try harder, lose that last 15 lbs, and be perfect in all aspects of life. Of course 10 minutes in to January 1st I am eating chocolate while yelling at my kids in a dirty house. But those 10 minutes of perfection have to count for something....right?

I may fall short in most of my goals but I am BIG on giving myself one resolution that I WILL fulfill every year. In the past I have given up chocolate, soda, and french fries. I have learned to cook through using new recipes. And a personal favorite was reading 100 books. This year I have decided to do a blog a day. I know, I know....just stop laughing and hear me out for a minute. Yes, I am the worse blogger ever. My posts come sporadically with months between. But my bff, Jacki, inspired me and I have made up my mind. Can't be worse than giving up chocolate, right?! So hold on tight and check back daily! This means you Mom, since you will probably be my only follower. :)